Pachira aquatica fruits shells valorization: renewables phenolics through analytical pyrolysis study

This research valorized Pachira aquatica Aubl. 's fruit shells (PAS) through its energetic characterization and flash pyrolysis for biofuels or chemicals production. The characterization was performed through proximate and ultimate analysis, bulk density, higher heating value (HHV), hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin content, thermogravimetric analysis and absorption spectra in the infrared region obtained by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy technique (FTIR). The analytical flash pyrolysis was performed at 500[degrees]C in a Py-5200 HP-R coupled to a gas chromatograph (Py-GC/MS). The PAS biomass presents potential for thermochemical energy conversion processes due to its low moisture and ash content, 76.90% of volatile matter, bulk density of 252.6 kg/[m.sup.3] and HHV of 16.24 MJ/kg. Flash pyrolysis products are mostly phenols or light organic acids derived from the decomposition of polysaccharides. Results confirmed the potential of PAS to produce bio-phenolics, such as 4-methoxyphenol which is an important active ingredient for skin depigmentation used in drugs and cosmetics, and as phenolic extract that can be used as a precursor to resins, applications that convert this forest waste into bio products for industry into a green circular economy. Key words: munguba, energy characterization, lignocellulosic biomass, forest wastes, analytical flash pyrolysis. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a valorizacao das cascas dos frutos da Pachira aquatica Aubl. (PAC) atraves da sua caracterizacao energetica e pirolise flash para producao de biocombustiveis ou produtos quimicos. A caracterizacao foi realizada atraves de analises imediata e final, densidade aparente, poder calorifico superior (PCS), conteudos de hemicelulose, celulose e lignina, analise termogravimetrica e espectros de absorcao na regiao do infravermelho obtidos pela tecnica de espectroscopia no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR). A pirolise flash analitica foi realizada a 500 [degrees]C em equipamento Py-5200 HP-R acoplado a um cromatografo a gas (Py-GC/MS). A biomassa das PAC apresenta potencial para processos de conversao termoquimica de energia devido ao seu baixo teor de umidade e cinzas, alem de 76,90% de materiais volateis, densidade aparente de 252,6 kg/[m.sup.3] e PCS igual a 16,24 MJ / kg. Os produtos da pirolise rapida sao principalmente fenois ou acidos organicos leves derivados da decomposicao de polissacarideos. Os resultados confirmam o potencial das PAC para prod